Electric razor



March 2, 1954 HABER 2,670,534

ELECTRIC RAZOR Filed Jan. 12, 1951 IN VENTOR 7 HAR HABER ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 2, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to electric razorsmore particularly to the dry shaver type of razor having a motor-operated cutter member reciprocatingly or otherwise movable relative to a stationary slotted shear plate-this application being a continuation-in-part of my application filed February 28, 1950, Serial No. 146,711, now abandoned.

- It is primarily within my contemplation to provide a razor of the above category having a hair-lifting member coactively associated with the shearing portion whereby individual hairs will be set into optimum cutting position in the path of the shearer head during its operative movement. And in this aspect of my invention it is a further object to employ the said hairlifting member in association with conventional shearer head components, whereby a standard electric shaving device may readily be modified and adapted for use in accordance with my invention.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a hair-lifting member of the type abovementioned which will serve its intended function without any interference whatsoever with the cutting action of the shearer head. And in the accomplishment of this objective I employ a novel form of floating hair-lifting member yieldably urged to an extreme operative position beyond the plane of the cutting head, and yet which will be retractable to and below thesaid cutting plane under the action of normal shaving pressure. And in this aspect of my invention it is a further object to enable such floating member to operatively adjust'itself not only in a direction at right angles to the cutting plane of the razor, but also at various other angles, with limitations, with respect to said plane, whereby the said hair-lifting member may variably position itself for face contour adjustments. And in the further accomplishment of this aspect of my invention a shaving or cutting action is rendered possible along only a portion of the shearing head, while in the region of the other portion thereof the said hair-lifting member is operatively engageable with the skin.

It is within my contemplation to enable the said hair-lifting member to move in various di rections completely independently of the razor may bereadily and firmly assembled, with the- 2 said hair-lifting member in free but interlocking engagement with fixed or stationary elements of the device.

And it is within my contemplation to enable my invention to be employed either with single or multiple-head electric dry shavers.

Other objects, features and advantages will appear from the drawings and the description hereinafter given.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a two-headed razor showing a preferred form of my invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary section of Figure 1 taken along line 22, the motor-operating elements and the razor handle being removed.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view of Figure 1 taken along line 3-3.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary section of Figure 1 taken substantially along line 4-4, showing a portion of the cutter reciprocating actuator connected to a motor not shown.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a preferred form of a hair-lifting member and mounting therefor, in accordance with my invention.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 are enlarged semi-diagrammatic views of the razor of my invention shown in three operative positions against a face.

Figure 9 is a section substantially like Figure 2,,

showing the razor operatively applied against a face, with the hair-lifting device of my invention in a tilted position, and. Y

Figure 10 is a sectional View substantially similar to that of Figure 3, showing a modified form of my invention, as applied to a single head razor.

In the form of my invention illustrated, the housing l5 contains therein the shearing components as well as the driving mechanism therefor-the driving mechanism, except for the reciprocating actuator I6 (Figure 4) being omitted since such mechanism is well-known to those skilled in the art and need not be described in further detail for the purposes of this application. Sufliice it is to say, for present purposes, that the said actuator l6, reciprocated in the direction of arrows A by a motor, imparts a reciprocating action to the cutter member H, the upper multi-edged blade portion [8 of which is in slidable engagement with the slotted shear plate 19, as in conventional razors of this category. As will be seen from Figure 3, the particular embodiment illustrated has two shearer heads 20 and 2|, the former containing the aforesaid cutter member 18 and slotted shear plate I 9, and the latter containing the cutter member 22 and slotted shear plate 23, the cutter member 22 being reciprocatingly actuated by the actuator 24 (Figure 3) operatively connected to a motor not shown. The upper housing walls 25 and 26 support the shells 21 and 23, respectively, of housings 20 and 2 I, said shells containing at the base thereof, respectively, the blocks 29 and 30. The screws 3| and 32 extend transversely through said blocks, and serve to keep said heads in assembled relation.

Disposed between and in engagement with the inner walls 33 and 34 of shells 21 and 28, respectively, is the stationary spacer and mounting 35 for the hair-lifting member 36, member 35- supporting the two springs 31 and 38 which in turn support said member 36 and maintain it disposed between the heads 28 and 21. the preferred embodiment of my invention, member 35 is a relatively thin slab or wall containing in the center thereof an inverted T-shaped aperture 33 extending down from the upper wall 48 thereof-rthe said member 35 having two holes M and 42 positioned to receive therethrough the said screws 3! and 32, respectively. The base of said member 35 consists of an extension 43 resting upon the transverse support 44 operatively supported between the walls 35 and .46 of the razor, The said hair-lifting member 36 has a preferably slightly arcuate operative upper surface 41 containing the longitudinal flutes or serrations 48. Extending downwardly from the medial portion of member 35 is the inverted T.- shaped extension 43, adapted for loose interlock-' ing engagement with the said inverted ii-shaped aperture 39.. Member 49 is so proportioned with respect to aperture 39 as to permit a tilting movement of said member 35, as clearly shown in Figure 9. The member 33 is also provided with slitted portions 53 and 3! to receive therein the terminals of said springs 3'1 and 38the said springs being curved upwardly from member 35 to member 36, whereby the portions of member 36 flanking extension 49 are spaced above the correspondingly positioned portions of member 35, and whereby the space 32 is provided between the bottom wall 53 of extension 49 and the bottom wall 54 of the apertured portion 39. The upper portion of member 35, which is disposed between the said heads 29 and 2! of the razor, is preferably proportioned so as to leave small spaces 55 and 56 between said member 36 and said heads, thereby permitting a slight lateral movement of said member, and freedom of operative movement of said member without interference or restriction by the razor heads of the device. The lower corners 5:! and 58 of member 36 are chamfered so as to permit a maximum of move ment of said member with respect to the sloping inner walls 59 and 3.8 of shells 27 and 23, respectively (Figures 3 and 5). It is preferred also that the member 3'5 be made of some friction material, such as hard rubber, although that is not an absolute requirement where serrations 4,8 are employed.

In the operative employment of the razor above described, shaving movements are made as in conventional razors, the reciprocating action of the cutter members I3 and 22 with reference to their respective shear plates 19 and 2:3, efiecting a cutting of hairs in the path of the razor. However, the hair-lifting member 33 performs the additional function of engaging the hairs. in the path f he razor. and iftin them away from the. face so that they will stand out therefrom, whereby such heirs will be presented. for maxi:

mum cutting efficiency, particularly since the upstanding hairs are able to enter the slots within the shear plates 19 and 23 for shearing engagement by the cutting elements l8 and 22. As will more clearly hereinafter appear, the springs 31 and 38 urge the member 36 outwardly to an extreme outermost level as limited by the interlocking engagement of extension 49 with aperturegl portion 39, The shaving pressure of the instrument against the face will cause a yieldable depression of member 35, but will nevertheless not interfere with the slidable engagement of the shearer heads with the face during the shaving movement. It is due to the frictional engagement of member 36 with the face during such movement that flattened hairs are lifted to' an upstanding position for presentation to the advancing shearer head.

Figures 6 to 8 diagrammatically illustrate this action. In Figure 6 the razor is shown moving in the direction of arrow B along the face F. It will be observed that head 2i has passed over the inclined hairs Bl shown positioned between said head 2! and the hairrlifting member 3.8. As the razor continues its down stroke, the serrated sure face 4.8 of member 3.6 enga es the hairs SI, and lifts them to a substantially upright position schematically shown in Figure 7 and identified as. Sta. These hairs are now presented to the advancing shearer head 2.3 in a more effective cutting position than the corresponding inclined hairs GI shown in Figure 6. Accordingly as the razor continues its down stroke beyond the position shown in Figure 7, the shearer head 28 will eiiectively cut hairs 34a. However, should some hairs still be in an inclined position, as might be the case if the razor head missed some hairs 6 la. or smoothed them down in. the direction of they razors movement, .or if a partly out stubble were left, the return movement of the razorin the direction of arrow C (Figure 8), will engage the hairs 610 (corresponding to hairs 5] and em in Figures 6- and 7) and again liit them to an up: right position for presentation to the now ad, vancing shearer head 2 I. Thus the iii-tins action of hairs engaged by member 3.6 is eiiected by actual contact of the serrated surface '48 thereof with the hairs during the operative shaving move ment of the razor. It should further be noted, however, that since the upper operative surface of the member 3,6 is, in the preferred form shown, convexly curved transversely, and since said meme ber 33 intercepts the cutting plane of said heads .3 and 2 l, a slight depression D will be formed in the face where the member 6 engages it. 'l-his d pressi n causes a stretohms of th skin etween the crest of the curvature and thegcutting portion of the razor, thereby drawing the hairs in such area away from the skin and intoan. upright position. This action therefore sup.- lemepts the dir ct. hair liiting action of meme her Due to th free floati g upport of mem r 35. it will readily adjust itself to contour irregulari= ties without materi ll affecting the cutting ac: tion of the razor,- For example, by reierring'to i u e-9', it wil b s e that a high spot or Protuberance on the face that engages one end of member 36 will cause an inward deflection there, oi+thereby preventin Such protuberance from iorcingthe cutting heads. .of the razor out of con.- tact with the face which would be the case ifember 53.6 were not free floating. The protuberance P (represented by a. dotedash contour line) or iaoe F is shown enga in the end 33a of the hair-lifting member 36, depressing it inwardly beyond the outermost surface of the shaving head 20. This obviously permits the shaving head to maintain its operative contact with the face. Obviously, said member 36 will yield inwardly, due to the shaving pressure, at right angles to the direction of the shaving stroke, as well as at slight inclinations longitudinally--thereby providing complete flexibility without interfering with the shaving operation.

Figure 10 illustrates a modified form of my invention having a single shaving head 62 flanked by hair-lifting members 63 and 64 yieldably mounted on springs 65 and 63 substantially in the manner of the form first above described. It is not deemed necessary to give a further detailed description of this structure, since the members 63 and 64 are each substantially like the corresponding member of Figures 1 to 9. With this form of my invention each stroke of the razor produces hair-engaging contact of members 63 and 64 on opposite sides of the head 62, thereby assuring a lifting of hairs held fiat against the skin by the shaving soap or cream, and the presentation of such hairs in upstanding position to the advancing shaving head.

It is thus apparent that in both forms above illustrated a novel form of hair-lifting member is arranged in cooperative relation to a cutting head having conventional shearing components, whereby the hairs are positioned for optimum cutting eflicacy during the customary shaving strokes of the razor.

In the above description, the invention has been disclosed merely by way of example and in preferred manner; but obviously many variations and modifications may be made therein. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any specific form or mannerof practicing same, except insofar as such limitations are specified in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an electric razor of the class described, a housing, two spaced shearer heads each having an outer shear plate and an inner cutter element cooperatively associated therewith, a yieldably mounted hair-lifting member disposed between said heads, and a support for said member, said support being disposed below the said member and having at the upper medial portion thereof an inverted T-slotted portion, said member having at the bottom medial portion thereof an inverted T-shaped extension in interlocking engagement with said slotted portion, and spring means on said support and in engagement with said member.

2. In an electric razor of the class described, the combination according to claim 1, said hairlifting member being in closely spaced juxtaposed relation to but separated from said shearer heads.

3. In an electric razor of the class described, a shearer head having an outer shear plate and an inner cutter element cooperatively associated therewith, a hair-lifting member adjacent said shearer head and having an operative outer sur- 6 face at a level adjacent that of the said shear plate, and a support for said member, said support being in interlocking engagement with said member, said support being disposed below the said member and having at the upper medial portion thereof an inverted T-slotted portion, said member having at the bottom medial portion thereof an inverted T-shaped extension in interlocking engagement with said slotted portion, and spring means on said support and in engagement with said member.

4. In an electric razor of the class described, a shearer head having an outer shear plate and an inner cutter element cooperatively associated therewith, a hair-lifting member adjacent said shearer head and having an operative outer surface at a level adjacent that of the said shear plate, and a support for said member, said support being in interlocking engagement with said member, said support being disposed below the said member and having at the upper medial portion thereof an inverted T-slotted portion, said member having at the bottom medial portion thereof an inverted T-shaped extension in interlocking engagement with said slotted portion, and two oppositely disposed springs extending upwardly from lateral portions of said support into engagement with said hair-lifting member at points adjacent said T-shaped extension.

5. In an electric razor of the class described, a shearer head having an outer shear plate and an inner cutter element cooperatively associated therewith, a hair-lifting member adjacent said shearer head and having an operative outer surface at a level adjacent that of the said shear plate, and a support for said member, said support being in interlocking engagement with said member, said support being disposed below the said member and having at the upper medial portion thereof an inverted T-slotted portion, said member having at the bottom medial portion thereof an inverted T-shaped extension in interlocking engagement with said slotted portion, and spring means on said support and in engagement with said member, said extension being loosely disposed in said slotted portion. HARRY HABER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,170,215 Rand Aug. 22, 1939 2,210,110 Andis Aug. 6, 1940 2,288,162 Hulst June 30, 1942 2,309,431 Alexay Jan. 26, 1943 2,335,413 Hicks Nov. 30, 1943 2,343,705 Rand Mar. 7, 1944 2,371,242 Jensen Mar. 13, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 523,492 Great Britain July 16, 1940 660,801 Germany June 2, 1938 

